Setup

 

August 21, 2019

 

Thoss lounged in the temple, relaxing on his pile of money and gems.  Up on the wall, he could see the tapestries he had commissioned several centuries ago.  It showed his triumph over Belwyn Daggerford and Lark Florindar.  He smiled at the memory.  This new group, though.  This new group.  The Danger Magnets.  Never had he had so much trouble from such insects!  Gouge was dead, although Gouge's transformation was coming along nicely.  Larbu's transition was having . . . difficulties but there were other options there.  Where could he strike them to show them he was not to be trifled with?  They liked the trees the tiny one had awakened at their home.  An attack on Daggerford served no purpose, though.  Indeed, with Paine now dead, Daggerford was safer.  Thanks to him!  Yet the thanks he gets was invasion.  Violation.  Murder of his progeny.  

 

Of course, this group had shown some cunning in not keeping their word to him.  He wouldn't have kept his.  And the surprise attack on Gouge's dragonkin was a master stroke.  Thoss could give them that.  Thoss didn't want to underestimate these foes.  That would be way too costly in the long run.  Thoss turned to the gems he received from them.  If only he had managed to get the other two.  He couldn't afford to wait much longer.  Thoss sighed.  While useful, he didn't like turning into his human form.  It was unnatural.  However, to read the scrolls he had gotten, it was needed.  It wasn't painful, exactly, but it hardly gave pleasure.  

 

The transformation worked better fast, so Thoss didn't wait.  The magic of the words, of the power of a dragon, washed over him.  His scales receded, his bulk, diminished.  Claws became fingernails.  Wings disappeared into his back.  His neck compacted.  And then he was human.  Nothing seemed real anymore.  Looking at the tapestry invoked no feelings.  It was as if the best parts of him were . . . cut off.  Gone.  

 

He walked to the far side of the temple area to a door.  A simple wooden door, bound in iron.  It was human sized and he pulled out a key from his side.  A simple key for a simple lock.  With a twist of his wrist, the door opened, revealing a simple study.  A desk.  A chair.  He had long ago removed the bed and put in a second set of shelves.  Stacks of vellum for spell scrolls and the inks needed awaited him.  Along with the magical scrolls he had found.  He walked into the room, shut the door behind him, and walked over to the desk.  He sat down on the chair.  it didn't feel right, this position.  He shifted in the seat.  Then again.  He got up and wondered how humans did it.  And every time he transformed, it felt different.  Last time, sitting had been no problem for hours.  Now it eluded him.  Finally accepting that it was going to be one of those shifts, Thoss sat down, picked up the scroll, and started reading.

 

**

 

Thoss had already covered four sheets of paper with notes.  He had four scrolls newly inked and drying on the top of the shelf but not exactly what he had wanted.  Sitting hadn't gotten any easier and he shifted again.  Then he picked up another scroll and started reading it.  Thoss had to admit that this language constructed sentences in an elegance that nearly rivaled draconic.  The author had not wasted one word in describing how to make things.  The notes on phylactories had been invaluable.  Thoss smiled.  Waterdeep would be repairing their marketplace for several months and still the acid blasted cobblestones would stay, potentially marking that fight for ages!  Not to mention the building front that caught the splash from the acid breath!  

 

There!  What he was seeking had been mentioned.  He cross referenced Alaundo's year roll call against the dates, then checked the orrery again, making some fine adjustments.  He narrowed his eyes looking at the orrery.  Then he snarled and with long learned patience, didn't throw the thing against the wall.  He went to recheck his calculations.  

 

**

 

Thoss heard the wings and the landing.  Then the familiar sounds of Ketch's transformation into human form.  But not Swoas.  Thoss felt his human lip curl in disdain but waited.  Soon enough, a knocking came on the wooden door.  

 

Thoss checked a calculation, then rechecked a scroll, and then back to Alaundo's book on tracking time.  He wrote out several more formula before his thoughts were finished.  Then he rolled the scrolls up and put them away.  Next, the ink and quill moved to their holders.  Finally, he adjusted himself again before responding.  

 

"Enter."  

 

The door opened and Ketch came into the room.  Ketch made being human look easy.  She opened the door and walked forward to stand in front of the desk on two legs as if it were natural.  Thoss looked past her to see Swoas still in dragon form.  

 

"Our daughter does not join us," Thoss said.  It was not a question.    

 

Ketch's face did not betray any emotion.  "Join us, daughter," Ketch said, harshly.  Thoss could tell something took place between them but he didn't care as long as they obeyed.  As they should.  

 

It took a while for Swoas' transformation.  Swoas had not yet mastered it.  The transformation took twice as long as it should.  Even as the Swoas settled on her human form, it was off.  The arms too thin and gangly for a human.  The neck too long.  Everything was where it should be, yet it was off.  Thoss and Ketch both knew but said nothing as she walked unsteadily through the door to stand behind Ketch.  She bowed.  "Father."  Even her voice was off.  Too deep and harsh for the form.  Thoss only snarled, then nodded back to Ketch.  

 

"They were seen in the village.  If the ambush doesn't work, I still have other plans for these Danger Magnets."  There was a hint of disdain in Ketch's voice, Thoss detected.  As if, perhaps, what she had been tasked to do was beneath her?  No.  Ketch knew her place.  Thoss' eyes flicked to the scar on her stomach.  No matter her form, the scar was there, a reminder of failure.  

 

"Good.  Do not underestimate them.  We have lost to them already.  They have proven . . . worthy.  And the rest?"  

 

"Arrived as we speak.  The contents are being unloaded.  Then they will feed the drakes.  It will be ready tomorrow."  

 

Thoss had to work not to show anything but his human form betrayed him.  He wasn't used to it, and felt his eyes widen, his eyebrows arch up.  "Truly?  We are that close?"  

 

Ketch caught the 'we' Thoss noted, and stood a bit straighter, with more pride.  

 

"Yes.  As your concomitant, it pleases me that I can still surprise you.  Regardless, we can enact the ritual to shape the land tomorrow."  

 

"Well done," said Thoss.  This changed the calculations, thinking back to the scrolls and Alaundo's book.  Thoss wasn't sure if it made it harder or easier.  "Yes, well done.  Proceed."  Thoss nodded at both and watched as Swoas turned and left and then Ketch did, catching the door with her foot and shutting it behind her.  Thoss smiled.  

 

"Yes."  

 

********

 

(A lot of out of game chat, resulting in some interesting times for some of the Danger Magnets that went on errands.)  

 

The group said hello to the Steel Eagles.  Brianna asked how it had gone then listened as Maldar, then Michel and Jinn told their story.  They had barely finished when Maldar dragged Michel and Jinn back to Daggerford through the gate for another hour before returning again.  Then the group talked about their options.  Brianna heard the commotion and the Steel Eagles left, trying not to disturb the Danger Magnets.  The group caught up with some of their followers.  

 

Hmm, Brianna thought.  I'm not sure how to refer to them.  Our people?  Our villagers?  

 

It turns out that some travelers were attacked by dragonborn quite some distance away and had pushed their horses hard to get here.  She calmed the horses down and gave them several treats, telling them they had done well.  She heard a bit more of what the merchants said, or maybe just drivers.  She tsked to herself at their notion of seeing a dragon.  

 

Be careful what you wish for Brianna thought.  "Yes, please, take them inside the walls.  Riane, can you tend to them?"  

 

"Of course," Riane answered, smiling.  "Come, this way!"  She led them inside the area and the moved them over to where they had laid out a building but hadn't yet started it.  

 

And then the Danger Magnets started in on them.

 

"Who are you?"

 

"Where did you come from?"

 

"When did you leave?"  

 

"Why are you so far off the road?"  

 

Maldar scared one twice by using the shadows as he can and just appearing near them.  The poor man screamed each time!  It did turn to a scream of joy at seeing something like that but there was still a hint of panic in it as well.  

 

"Perhaps now, you will think better about searching out danger," Brianna said.  

 

"Oh, I don't know, m'lady," one of them responded.  "It did get us hear to meet you!  Maybe I will yet hear Tyrel at some point!"  

 

Brianna smiled at this but didn't look at Tyrel.  For whatever reason, her friends didn't want to give themselves away, so she wouldn't either.  And they had generously given these strangers healing potions.  While Riane could have taken care of them, they were already good enough to go sleep in the village.  

 

"Let's get them settled in the village," Brianna said and moved to do so.  

 

"We will see you later, then," said Jinn, and they turned to go to a dark corner.

 

"Jinn!  You are going to leave without saying good bye?"  This shocked Brianna.  Eventually, they all said good bye and then walked over to where the shadows danced due to the fire.  They seemed to find a tunnel, then, and climb into it and then just recede into the shadow.  She hoped that they were safe.  

 

**

 

"I got us close enough.  Just a few miles off to the south.  But I can get us to the hill easily, now that I'm rested," said Maldar.  They had arrived near a grove of trees and set up the rituals.  Jinn didn't know what he would do if Tyrel and Michel didn't do that.  In fact, Jinn couldn't remember that last gnat or mosquito that he had to swap at, since Michel joined them.  Of course, with all they had been through already, it felt like they had known each other years, and it hadn't been more than five tenday!  They finished up their breakfast, Tyrel could make some campfire meals that reminded them all of being at the Lady Luck Tavern, instead of out in the wilderness.  Still, Maldar thought, it could be much worse.  When . . . their cleric was with them, the few times they had camped outside the city had been much different.  Tyrel was able to create his tent and start a campfire but the smoke was much worse.  And the bugs!  Gnats and mosquitoes and wasps and other things.  They hovered and buzzed and annoyed him.  Not so with Michel.  Nothing like that happened.  

 

"Is the plan for me to get us close to the next marked hill?" asked Maldar.  Maldar had the map out and looked at the point the hag had indicated.  

 

"Yes, that's the plan."  Tyrel said, even as he put away the cooking utensils.  Humming as he gathered up the pots and pans, Tyrel directed the humming to the dishes to clean them.  Tyrel also had the humming put out the fire and clean up the area.  Michel nodded in appreciation as they packed.  The group wouldn't leave much of a mark on the land where they had been.  

 

Maldar led them back a bit to the grove of trees.  Maldar felt the connection to the shadows and used that to connect to another point to the north.  They slide through the shadows.  Then to another shadow and a third.  Within minutes, they could see the hill just off in the distance.  

 

"I'll scout," said Maldar, and moved forward.  

 

"Chandi, go with him," said Jinn.  

 

Maldar thought about arguing it but Chandi slipped by him and kept going.  Just a bit faster and just a bit quieter.  And Chandi knew.  Maldar sighed, annoyed but more at himself for letting the cat get to him.  Then went forward.  

 

Someone had cleared a huge area in front of the hill.  Several hundred yards worth.  Just trampled it?  No, as Maldar moved forward, he caught the scent of the redflower vines.  And was that Kammurth over there?  Yes, the distinctive blue flower but it was on the redflower vine?  How did that happen.  Maybe Michel could tell him.  Maldar didn't like the flowers, though.  Their scent, their spores, were in the air and that could mess with his head.  He went back to the group and explained what he saw.  

 

Jinn tried a spell and could see in the center of the village.  It was all women, he noticed, human for the most part.  Looked like the kids were all girls.  They were getting the plants ready to dry in one area of the square.  They had tools and were doing a bit more processing with some of the plants but Jinn couldn't tell what.  

 

That's when the dragon appeared!  It landed in the square, and Jinn wasn't sure what he was seeing.  It carried something or had a harness on it?  Girls brought out containers of the product they were making and put it into the harness.  They filled it up and then the dragon took off.  

 

They exchanged looks and readied weapons, waiting but nothing happened.  Maldar decided to see if there was a way around the plant fields and so started walking along the perimeter between the tall grass and the cut area.  He signaled to the others to follow as he walked around the perimeter.  Maldar saw the field ended a quarter way around and a clear path formed.  They saw some people picking things in the fields closer to the village and others in the village.  

 

"But no weapons," asked Dorn.  "Well, then, why not just walk up to it?"  Dorn searched the sky but saw no sign of the dragon that had landed.  

 

Maldar could think of many reasons why not but none of them would work.  So, he shrugged and they started walking toward the village.  The village looked like thatch huts.  Maybe some adobe was used in places or clay but he couldn't be sure.  Who would make such a primitive village?  Why?  They walked nearly to the village parameter before a worker in the field saw them.  She skipped happily to them.  

 

"Oh, greetings!  Are you here to join our cult and learn more of the glorious ones?"  She was a girl maybe seventeen seasons old wearing only simple tunic and pants, with a belt of rope.  She had a dagger she was using to cut the flowers in the fields.  Her voice, though, had a dreamlike quality to it, as if she spent too much time out in the fields.  

 

"Um, yes?"  

 

'Oh, wonderful!  Let me take you to our elder, Raulil.  She can help you learn what you need."  

 

As they walked through the village, the group noticed it was as primitive as it looked.  A few metal tools and that was it.  Maybe the clearing of the grass hadn't been as defensive as it was to get building supplies?  Maldar couldn't imagine living like this.  What are you supposed to do?  Share everything?  

 

There was a central area that Jinn described and they were led to it.  A women in her late thirties stopped working at a table and turned to greet them.  

 

"Welcome to the followers of the Cult of the Dragon!"  She smiled even as the group tensed at this proclamation.  "Are you here to learn more and join and serve the glorious ones?"  

 

"We were merely passing through," said Dorn.  Maldar cringed at that.  Passing through?  In the middle of nowhere, near a swamp?  

 

"Oh, that's . . . interesting," said the woman.  Jinn could see that she had other thoughts but then her face went blank again.  "Do you want to learn more of the cult?"

 

"Yes," replied Dorn.  "Tell us of the dragon that landed here and what it took away."  

 

"No dragon landed here," replied the woman.  Surely they couldn't mean the simple drake?  Did they not know the difference between a drake and one of the glorious ones?  Are they worthy?  "Forgive my manners.  I am Raulil.  I am in charge when the men are gone.  Can I tell you more about the glorious ones?"  

 

Dorn sighed.  Even he recognized a drug addict and cult follower.  Usually it was fighting them, not talking to them.  This was worse.  

 

"Can you show us around?" asked Jinn.  He continued, "You have been growing some interesting things.  What can you tell me about them?"  

 

"And are they for sale?" chimed in Michel.

 

"oh, yes!  Jalil would be so impressed if I made a sale!  It's all for sale.  What would you like?"  

 

"How much do you have to sell?"

 

"A lot."  She said it so firmly as if that answered the question.  

 

"Then I would like to buy some of it."  

 

Dorn watched as they put basket after basket of new pipe weed, some other things Dorn didn't recognize, and stuffed it into his bag of holding.  All for a few silvers.  Well, this Raulil was in a better mood, so Dorn tried again.  

 

"Where can't you show us?" he said, smiling at the others.  

 

"Oh, I can't show you the temple area as I don't think you want to join the cult.  But otherwise, you can go where you would like."  

 

The group took Dorn's lead and thanked her and then left, not wanting to push it.  A few hundred yards later, and they discussed options.  Finally, they decided to have Chandi watch Raulil and Jinn would impersonate her so they could go to where they suspected the temple to be.  It worked well and they got into the room.  It was a bigger hut but differed from the rest as it was built next to the hill.  It didn't talk long to find the door to the temple.  Opening it showed stairs down into a prep area!  Jinn was expecting more drugs but this had bones, dragon bones, and another skeleton on tables in some sort of preparation.  

 

Maldar quickly found there was nothing of value and that there were two more doors.  One had a short hallway leading to another door.  As they stopped and discussed the next door, Maldar heard others talking behind it!  

 

The group rushes into the room, ready for combat!  They find themselves facing off against a dracolich and several vampires!  It's a pretty easy fight and soon they are destroyed.  They even find the phylactory and use the ritual that Ilayna taught Michel to destroy it.  

 

As they head back to the central room, already large skeletons have moved forward and are going to attack!

 

18000 xp

 

GM Notes

• I still think I was off.  I missed a lot of details as I saw them and added them here. 
• The music was definitely off to me and the music used for when the dracolich was gone and it was just the vampires didn't work for me but the players liked it.  

 

BACK